Wonder by RJ Palacio

Wonder is the story of August (Auggie) Pullman, born with a facial difference that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to enter 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?

You can order a special edition copy of Wonder from the CCA webstore or apply for a discount rate for bulk purchase by contacting the office. Complimentary curriculum also available through CCA upon request.

Buy Special Edition book through the CCA Webstore.

Treacher Collins Syndrome

AGES 8-14 YEARS

Download the Educator Curriculum, here.

How I Learned to Rock My Life: The Peter Dankelson Story
By Peter and Dede Dankelson

Peter Dankelson’s story is a reminder that circumstances don’t define your life; how you react to them does. You will be inspired by how Peter overcomes adversity with a positive attitude and a loving family. You will be motivated to choose courage over fear, embrace what makes you different, and reflect on what’s important in your life. Readers will battle with Peter through his thirty-six surgeries, laugh with him as he searches for an ear store, and share in his excitement when he takes the stage with Buckcherry, Jared James Nichols, and others. Over half a million social media followers have found inspiration from Pete’s Diary, a company inspired by Peter’s life. This book is both Peter’s story and the journey of how Pete’s Diary evolved from his birth in 2000 to his career as a guitar player.

Buy the book or download the Kindle version on Amazon. Read more about it on Peter’s website.

AGES 13+

Goldenhar Syndrome

Diary of a Beautiful Disaster by Kristen Bartzokis

Born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a facial abnormality, Kristin learned at an early age the importance of strength–strength when confronted with multiple surgeries, strength when confronted with stares and questions, and strength when confronted with the constant knowledge that you will never look, or be, like everyone else.

Kristin Bartzokis’ life story is one of achievement and inspiration, an example of an unbreakable spirit and unwavering fortitude. No matter what life has thrown at Kristin, she has turned challenges into triumphs and used obstacles as stepping stones. Diary of a Beautiful Disaster empowers readers to embrace their own uniqueness and boldly go forth into the world being exactly who they are. Kristin reminds us that although life can be complicated and messy, it is always, above all, beautiful.

Buy book or download the Kindle version, here.

Treacher Collins Syndrome

Download the Educator Discussion Guide, here.

Ride High Pineapple by Jenny Woolsey

Apart from having a face that is different, Issy is like many other teenagers. She experiences friendship ups and downs, a secret crush, and bouts of anxiety. Issy is also great at drawing and skateboarding.

Written as a raw, truthful, journal, follow Issy in Ride High Pineapple, to find out how she uses the analogy of a pineapple, her friends, and her skateboarding, to overcome the adversities in her life.

Buy the book, here.

Crouzon Syndrome

Tales of Grace | A Different Me By Judy Ryan

Friendships, self-esteem and fitting-in – all standard desires of young girls.  However, when kindhearted 11-year-old Grace Archer was diagnosed 2 years earlier with a not-so-common facial cancer, her life changed forever, and her early adolescent worries elevated by her changed face. Her struggle for confidence and happiness is tested every day.

Buy the book or download the Kindle version on Amazon.

Facial Cancer

Ugly By Robert Hoge

When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes. Amazingly, he survived—with a face that would never be the same.
This poignant memoir about overcoming bullying and thriving with disabilities shows that what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are.

Buy the book or download the Kindle/audio version on Amazon.

Facial Tumor

World Enough and Time By Emma C Williams

Anna Jones is an intelligent and spirited girl of 15, whose everyday experiences of growing up are overshadowed by a rare condition called Goldenhar syndrome. While Anna approaches her life with humour and determination, she is haunted by the inescapable fact that she looks a little different from other girls.

Despite the support of her friends and family, she remains convinced she will never be loved – especially not by the gorgeous and intelligent Michael. Anna’s life and schooling is regularly interrupted by a variety of hospital visits, each one of which seems designed to make her feel even more different from the other girls. As she counts down the days until the major surgery that will change the course of her life forever, Anna becomes increasingly doubtful as to whether she will ever be truly normal. World Enough and Time is an often funny, sometimes painful but ultimately uplifting novel about growing up and finding your feet in the world.

Buy the book or download the Kindle version on Amazon.

Goldenhar Syndrome

Normal: One Kid’s Extraordinary Journey
By Magdalena and Nathaniel Newman

In this uplifting and humorous memoir brimming with black-and-white comic illustrations, Nathaniel and his mother, Magda, tell the story of his growing up with the same craniofacial syndrome as the boy from Wonder—from facing sixty-seven surgeries before the age of fifteen, to making friends, moving across the country, and persevering through hardships. How they tackle extraordinary circumstances with love and resilience is a true testament to Nathaniel and Magda’s extraordinary family, and to families everywhere who quietly but courageously persist.

Buy the book or download the Kindle version on Amazon.

AGES 8-14 YEARS

Treacher Collins Syndrome

Beauty with a Twist: School Version
By Rasheera Dopson

I’m a Beauty with Twist. I am Different, and my story is Different. I grew up as a normal black girl, however, I also grew up different– I have a disability. I grew up in a precarious household, but I was also loved. All these life experiences created my story. Living a different life hasn’t always been easy, matter fact there were times where I wanted to throw it all away. Nevertheless, despite the hardships, despite the medical challenges, and even the physical and emotional pain; I found purpose through it all and I found God in it all. It’s not your traditional story, but it is my story and my prayer is that it will be used to change the world!

Buy the book on Amazon.

AGES 8-16 YEARS

Goldenhar Syndrome